Rectangular moulded plastic kite



' Dc.-12-, 1967- Y Y s F. coNDRAsHQx-FV v 3,357,560

RECTANGULAR Mou/LDBD ELASTIC KITEA Filed June l, 1966 Q., Y Y ,Y Y 1 v YY INVENTOR l FIG. 3]

Sergei Feodo Condrqshoff TroRNEYs United States Patent O 3,357,660RECTANGULAR MOULDED PLASTIC KITE Sergei Feodore Cond'rashol, 1230 St.Patrick St., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Filed June 1, 1966, Ser.No. 554,513 10 Claims. (Cl. 244-153) ABSTRACT OF 'I'HE DISCLOSURE A kitemade of a durable framework of plastic in the shape of a square and aplastic film fused to the frame- Work. A cross brace having tapered armsis secured within the square to increase the strength of the square. Abridle is secured to one side of the frame and a tail harness is securedto the opposite parallel side. A plastic tail is secured to the tailharness.

This invention relates to a kite for use as a toy, signal device,emergency radio antenna, or any other use requiring an eicientair-planing device.

Single-plane kites are constructed in a variety of shapes, and fromvarious materials and combinations of materials, such as wood, paper,aluminum and plastics. The requirements for an ecient kite are (1) lightweight in relation to area of sail, (2) balance and stability in flight,(3) easy take-off and return, (4) good flight under varied weatherconditions, and (5) durability under stress. Cornmonly, single-planekites have no definite leading, trailing or lateral edges. Because thelateral edges are illdefined and not parallel to the central axis, thetail and bridle are usually attached to the superstructure in a way thatpermits the kite to roll or slip by pivoting on the central axis. In theabsence of a Well-defined leading and trailing edge a constant leadingangle cannot be maintained, thus making take-offs dificult. Basically,the shape presents imbalance in weight distribution and wind impact overthe surface. These kites must be carefully adjusted to wind force byaltering the bridle and tail length or weight. Further-more, the more aplane departs from radial symmetry the smaller is its area in relationto dimensions, so the kite may be both heavy and unwieldy. Kites with awooden framework tend to break in strong winds or shatter on collision;those with aluminum framework may bend to become misshapen or eventuallybreak from -metal fatigue. Paper sails are easily torn and are damagedby water, while plastic sails loosely attached to a framework ofline-supported edges must be of heavy gauge to be adaptable.Line-supported edges cannot maintain shape under stress and are subjectto breakage. Mixed materials and long dimensions present assembly andpackaging problems to the manufacturer.

I have found that these disadvantages are overcome by using arectangular, and preferably a square, frame of non-brittle plastic fusedto a plastic film sail, with bridle and tail harness attached to thecorners, with fine gauge plastic film for a tail. The square shapeprovides balance in weight distribution and Wind impact over the entiresurface. Attachment of the bridle to the corners of the leading edge,and the tail harness to the corners of the trailing edge, orients thekite parallel to the direction of the wind. Because the lateral edgesare parallel to the central axis, and are secured at both ends,pivoting, rolling or slipping does not occur. A well-defined leading andVtrailing edge maintain a constant leading angle, making take-offs easy,with no adjustment of bridle necessary for varied wind force. The -lmtail is extremely light and provides balance by means of tension fromair friction and can be flown in winds of various velocities withoutadjustment. A resilient plastic (such as polyethylene or butyrate)framework fused to a plastic film provides a structure that is light, isresistant to tearing, breaking or shattering, and maintains its shape.The edges are part of the framework and tend to retain their shape understress. The kite is completely waterproof and can be flown under variedweather conditions. Assembly is not a problem because the superstructurecan be moulded, and packaging is simple because of the economy of spacewith a square shape.

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention,

FIGURE 1 is a view of the lower surface of the embodiment;

FIGURE 2 is a frontal, downward-tilted view of the embodiment;

FIGURE 3 is an oblique view of the central portion of the lower surfaceof the embodiment; and

FIGURE 4 is a view of the lower surface of one corner of the embodiment.

The kite illustrated comprises crossbraces 1, and framing 2 (lateraledge) joined as a single framework and fused to a film sail 3.Crossbraces may be T-shaped or otherwise shaped for greater strength andtapered toward the apex to reduce weight. Corners 4 of the leading edge5 hold the lateral reins 6 of the bridle (displayed in FIG- URE 2) whichcontains a loop 7 at its end for attachment of a tow line; the centereyelet 8, shown in FIG- URE 3, holds the central rein 9 of the bridle.Corners 10 of the trailing edge 11 hold the reins of the tail harness,which has a loop 13 for attaching the film 14 used for a tail. FIGURE 4shows a corner with a rein attached. Dimensions or shape of the tail maybe variable; it may be a ribbon up to 8 inches or more wide and 10 ormore feet long, or may be in the form of a tassel. Bridle and tailharness may be any suitable material (cotton, monotilament nylon, etc.)and attached in any suitable manner (tying, fusing, hinging, etc.).

What is claimed is:

1. A kite comprising a hollow one-piece rigid rectangular plastic frame,a plastic film fused to the frame, a bridle attached to the corners atone side of the frame, and a tail harness attached to the corners at theopposite side thereof.

2. A kite as dened in claim 1 further including a plastic cross bracecomprising a rigid pair of crossed arms, means securing the ends of thearms to the corners of the frame, and said plastic lm being fused tosaid brace.

3. A kite as defined in claim 2 further including an eyelet rigid vwiththe center of the crossed arms.

4. A kite as defined in claim 3 wherein the plastic of the frame andcross brace is polyethylene.

5. A kite as defined in claim 3 wherein the plastic of the frame andcross brace is a butyrate.

6. A kite as defined in claim 2 wherein the frame is square.

7. A kite as defined in claim 6 wherein the crossed arms are of aone-piece moulded construction.

8. A kite as defined in claim 7 wherein the arms are 4 3 4 tapered froma maximum dimension at their intersection 2,986,363 5/ 1961 Vandegrift244-153 to a minimum dimension at their ends. 3,248,075 4/ 1966Cunningham 244--153 9. A kite as defined in claim 8 wherein the arms areT-shaped in cross section. FOREIGN PATENTS 10. A kite as defined inclaim 1 wherein the frame 5 212,887 2/1958 Australia.

is moulded of the plastic. 300,646 2/ 1907 France.

130,807 5/ 1902 Germany. References Clfed 997,791 7/1965 Great Britain.UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,609,569 12/1926 Nakata n. 244 153 10 MILTONBUCHLER, Primary Examiner. 1,814,811 7/ 1931 Kramer et al. 244-153 P. E.SAUBERER, Assistant Examiner.

1. A KITE COMPRISING A HOLLOW ONE-PIECE RIGID RECTANGULAR PLASTIC FRAME,A PLASTIC FILM FUSED TO THE FRAME, A BRIDLE ATTACHED TO THE CORNERS ATONE SIDE OF THE FRAME, AND A TAIL HARNESS ATTACHED TO THE CORNERS AT THEOPPOSITE SIDE THEREOF.